Aria
She slid into his arms as soon as he was next to her, not wanting to be away from him for longer than she had to be. She loved the post-cuddles, almost as much as she loved the act of making love with him. She snuggled in close, and turned just a little, so that she could see the stars again. She reached over and grabbed her glasses, so that the world came back into focus.

Pao
"Your silly man," he said as she moved toward him. "Whose world you make so much brighter, and who loves you just as much." The world always felt so absolutely right when she was in his arms, and as soon as she was settled he grabbed one of the blankets and tossed over them for a little bit of coverage and added warmth.

He sighed then, head turned and leaning against hers as they looked up at the sky together in contented silence. He would at time turn to admire her and the look on her face as she gazed up at the stars she loved so much, and he was reminded of the very many reasons he loved her so much.

Aria
She smiled up at him at his words, letting her focus shift back to him, eyes on his, as they shined with how much she loved him, and how good it felt to know she could make him as happy as he, without fail, always made her, in the big things and the small. She cuddled under the blanket, and smiled, glad she had packed enough to make sure they would be comfy as long as they were here.

She looked back to the sky, and got lost in the stars, her namesake and her eternal fascination. She did not look away from them to gaze at him, but she was constantly aware of his presence next to her, and she slide a hand to twine with one of his, squeezing it gently with love.

Pao
He squeezed her hand in return, the gesture bringing a soft and loving smile to his lips as he continued to watch her watch the sky and the myriad of stars up above. With eyes still on her he brought their hands up and pressed a soft kiss to the back of hers, still a bit in wonder at how they were here in this moment now, together.

He was as happy as he'd ever been in his life whenever he was with her. She was his world, his life, his....everything, really, and it both scared and fascinated him that he trusted her so much with himself and with his heart to be so vulnerable when he was with her. He kissed her hand again, not to get her attention but to ground himself in the moment so he didn't get swept up in his own thoughts.

Aria
Despite his intent, the kisses did draw her attention back to him. She gave him that smile she only ever have him, her eyes glittering with reflected lights. She just lay there watching him, now, for a long, silent moment. Finally she said "How much longer do you think we have before it's not exactly safe anymore?"

She didn't want to rush back, after all, but she didn't want to endanger them either with her obsession with the stars.

Pao
He looked on at that beautiful smile of hers, snapping a mental picture for himself for future reference, as though he didn't get to see her enough throughout the day. And he smiled back, that bright smile he always reserved just for her, watching her watch him for however long.

"Mm, I'd give it 'til closer to midnight, to be honest," came his answer, after which he glanced around for his pants that had his phone in it. "Any idea what time it is?"

Aria
She felt like she was basking in his smile, because it made her feel as warm as the sun ever could. It was so beautiful, and so precious. She remembered the first time she saw it and how it took her breath away. It still managed to do so every time, for a moment at least.

His words had her brows knowing together thoughtfully. "I'm not sure... My phone is on my coat. If you wanna grab it to check, go ahead."

Pao
He nodded and reached for the duffle with his free hand, tossing his shirt off of it so he could get inside and to her coat. Sure enough her phone sat right on top of the garment, so he reached in and clicked a random button to get the screen to turn on.

"It's almost 10PM, love. We could probably start getting cleaned up in about an hour?"

Aria
She nodded and said "Wanna set a reminder, so we don't risk missing it?" She knew she could honestly fall asleep under the stars with him right there, because he made her feel that safe. "M'passcode is 5141."

She had no worries about giving him that code. She trusted him with everything important, so letting him have access to her cell phone didn't even begin to bother her. She had nothing to hide, even if he did want to snoop, and she didn't care if he did.

Pao
"That, my love," he started to say as he entered the passcode, a little smile crossing his features when the phone unlocked as expected, "is a brilliant idea, as usual." Other than being a little curious about what her background and lock screen photos were, he really wasn't all that concerned about what was on her phone, so he quickly set the reminder and set the phone just beside him, near his shoulder so he wouldn't be able to miss it.

And then he snuggled into her again, nuzzling into her hair a little bit. "We got some more time, love," he said, voice a little muffled. "So just relax and enjoy the view."

Aria
She smiled up at him, cheeks pink at his words. "Just don't want to lose track of time, after all." He would find that, oddly, it apparently hadn't even occurred to her that one COULD change the lockscreen or background, because they were the default that the phone came preset with.

Once he was snuggled in again, she couldn't help softly chuckling. "You love pressing your face in my hair, don't you?" Her tone was simply loving, with maybe a hint of amusement, and she was quickly sliding her arm around him again.

Pao
"I do," he answered, shifting so his voice wasn't so muffled anymore. He leaned back a little bit, turning his head so he could see her properly. "It's soft and always smells so good. Does it bug you?" He'd be a little sad if it did, but he could always stop if she wanted him to.

"Also, baby, how come your background and lock screen are still set to the default?"

Aria
"Not at all. It just amuses me, babe." She smiled up at him, her eyes gentle and loving. "And I'm glad it smells good and is soft, given the work I put into it." She laughed a little, and just rests close to him, enjoying the warmth emanating from his body, and how it felt to be in his arms like this. "Do it all you like, in the end, Rhys."

She blinked at his question, eyes looking confused for a long moment, then said, slowly, "Um. I kind of... didn't think about it?"

Pao
He smiled brightly down at her when she gave her permission to keep going, the very minor worry now completely gone from his mind. "Thank you, baby," he whispered, leaning for a little kiss before settling back down.

Her confusion at his question as adorable, and with a chuckle he reached for her phone and held out so she could see what he was doing. "It's not a big deal, but in case you start to miss seeing me, like on those overnight shifts..." He went slowly so she could see and hopefully remember what he was doing, going through her photos before picking one of just him for her lock screen. "You can just wake your phone up and my face shows up."

He went ahead and picked a picture of the both of them, one from their London trip, and set it as her home screen before offering it to her. "If you wanna change what I picked?"

Aria
She smiled and kissed him back, then murmured "You're welcome, love..." and reached up to caress his cheek softly, her eyes focused on his for the moment.

She shifted her head to watch him doing things on her phone, quietly, not at all bothered by him doing things on her phone. She smiled as he selected a photo she'd taken of him as her lock screen, and leaned to kiss him gently, then said "That sounds like a good way to help me make it through one of those shifts. I hate the nights away from you, whether I'm on duty or you are." She sighed softly, still smiling but not wanting to think about it.

She gave an approving smile of his home screen selection too. "Why would I want to change it? It's perfect, if you ask me."

Pao
He smiled into the kiss, nodding a little as she pulled away. "Same. Work sucks sometimes." With that he just kissed her again, not wanting to linger on those thoughts since she was here now and it wasn't something either of them needed to be concerned about. When she expressed her approval he set the phone aside again, and finally cuddled in against her, turning just enough so he could rest his cheek against her hair while looking up at the stars again.

They were breathtaking, really, and a thought came to him that made him smile rather fondly. "Y'know, whenever I look up at a starry sky like this I wind up mostly thinking about you."

Aria
She sighed softly, and then kissed him back, arms tight around him for a moment, then she relaxed again, letting him shift as he wanted. She felt warm and safe, and she gazed up at the stars again, feeling lost in the enjoyment of this beautiful night. She slid a hand to tangle her fingers into his, wanting that bit of connection, her eyes just tracing the star patterns they could see again. She was glad at how clear it was, because the Milky Way, with all of it's colors, was visible tonight overhead.

When he spoke again, she blinked a little, and found herself considering that statement. "Why, because of my hair?" She asked, curiously.

Pao
When she laced her fingers with his he gave her hand a loving squeeze, enjoying the added feeling of connecting with her. He gave her question a little though, soon shaking his. "Nah...well I mean that's part of it. But it might be 'cause you're the one teaching me about all of it."

He paused, turning to give her forehead a kiss. "And 'cause of nights like these, making memories with you under the stars."

Aria
She just tightened her grip, a little, in response to the squeeze. Not enough to hurt, of course, because she had no desire to do that to him. She hmmm'd thoughtfully at his words, and smiled a little. "I... like that. I'm glad I can teach you about it. Sharing the beauty of our universe with you is one of the best things I could ever imagine happening."

The kiss made her break into a bright, beaming smile, and his words made it even more so. "We'll just have to keep making those memories, then, baby."

Pao
He smiled back, expression fully loving and admiring of the way she lit up whenever she gave him that smile. It only added to her beauty, and he would never get tired of seeing it on her. "Happy to, love." With that he leaned down for a proper kiss this time, soft but lingering. It was a while before he pulled away, his smile still so full of his love for her.

Aria
She blushed, as she often did when he gave her that look of love and admiration, eyes focused on his completely again. He was probably the only person in the world who could distract her this much from the wonders above them, without being in danger. When he kissed her, she gave a soft sigh, kissing him back, lost to him completely. When he pulled away, she just smiled back at him, one of her hands sliding to her phone, and she pulled it over, then quickly unlocked it and snapped a photo of his face outlined by the stars above them.

Pao
Though he was smiling for the picture, once it was taken he raised a brow, curious amusement clearly written on his face. "Photo of your two loves?" he asked, craning his neck a little bit to try and get a glimpse of it. Even if it was more on the random side, he still would demand a retake if he came out looking stupid.

Aria
"Exactly, babe." She turned the camera to make it easier for him, amused by his urgent need to see the photo. She personally thought it looked good, so she couldn't see any reason for him to worry about it, but if he wanted her to retake it to make him feel better, she'd do it. She didn't want him to feel bad about it, after all. "You're as handsome as always."

Pao
When he saw that the photo looked alright he relaxed against her, her compliment brightening up his expression a little more. "Thanks, babe."

And they lay there like that for however long, cuddled up in each other arms underneath the starry skies until the alarm went off, to which he groaned a bit before reaching to turn it off. He'd gotten much too comfortable to really want to move, but staying out here really just wasn't an option so he eventually reached for his shirt and offered it to her.

"Here, so you don't freeze or somethin' on me." Rhys gave her a smirk, then kissed her again before he untangled himself from her to grab his pants so he could start to get dressed.

Aria
She sighed when the alarm went off, then accepted his shirt, kissing him back before pulling free. "Mmm thanks, babe." She smiled up at him, a little amused, and pulls it on over herself, giggling at how it was almost like a dress on her. She did snag her panties and bra back, slipping them on under his shirt, then shifted to slip her feet into her shoes again. Once he was dressed, she began to pack up the blankets, but snagged one of the bottles of water, opening it to drink.

Pao
He slipped into his underwear and jeans before going for his shoes, and then finished picking up the blankets and folding them before put them back into the duffle, which he slung over his shoulder after grabbing a water for himself as well.

"Got everything?" he asked, opening the bottle and taking a sip before he started glancing around. It was too dark to really see anything, of course.

Aria
The rest of her clothes were in the bag, along with her coat and scarf, and her phone, so she looked around and nodded. "Yeah, I think so." She looked at him, amused by the fact that he once again took it, and gave him a loving smile. Anyone who saw them walking back would have a pretty good guess as to what they were up to, which amused her quite a lot. She slipped her hand into his free one, and headed for the 'exit' back to the path.

Pao
He took her hand and followed her, still sipping at his water. He wasn't too worried about whether people saw them and thought whatever thoughts they tended to think; he loved her and was proud to be her man. He eventually put his empty bottle away, moving as close as he could to her without the duffle making things uncomfortable.

"You're not cold or anything, babe?" he asked after glancing down at how much skin she was still showing despite his much larger shirt.

Aria
She was drinking her water as well, going slowly, and glancing up at the sky when it was safe to do so, not really wanting their night out to end, but accepting the necessity of it. She didn't care what others might think, it just amused her. She sighed, softly, as they made it to the base of the cliffs again, glad to be off that trail, and turned towards the dorms.

His question had her blinking and looking up at him. "Mmm? Me? No. I mean, it's a bit cool for here, but I don't think, since the rain stopped, I've been actively cold on the island?"

Pao
"'Kay, just checking," he smiled down at her before leaning in for a gentle bump to her shoulder, playful as the gesture usually was. He was never familiar enough with anyone else to do this kind of thing, and since the first time he bumped her on the way home from their first gym session together is sort of just became a thing he did only with her.

Aria
She gave him a warm smile, loving and gentle. "You always take such good care of me, baby." She returned the bump. It wasn't something she ever had done with anyone before, so it was definitely something she only did with him... One thing amongst many that were things she'd not ever done with anyone else and he had, in one way or another, introduced her to.

Pao
He gently bumped her again before giving a little shrug. "I love you, babe, and I love taking care of you," he said simply. It really was something he enjoyed doing, making sure she was comfortable and that she was doing okay. While he didn't text her all hours of the day, it was something he always thought about when she came to mind, and she very often came to mind when they weren't together.

"Pops always told me it's the little things, kinda stuck."

Aria
"You always make sure I know I'm cared for, and cared about." He was the first person to ever make her feel this cared about, honestly. Not even her brother, with his sibling adoration, had managed to make her feel this loved, in it's very different way. He was just so amazing to her, the way he managed to do that. When he texted her, when he just checked up on her at random, when he just looked up to give her a loving smile... all those things reminded her regularly that she was loved and adored, and it was amazing.

"He was right... They add up, baby. They add up to a whole lot."

Pao
He smiled warmly at her then, briefly letting her hand go to adjust the side the duffle was on before gently wrapping his arm over her shoulders and pulling her closer. "They do," he said softly, "and you make me feel like I'm care for, too. You know that, right?" It went far beyond just the fact that she fed him, but the way she often went out of his way for him, the way she supported him and encouraged him and was very simply there for him. No one had ever taken care of him the way that she always did.

Aria
She happily snuggled into him as they walked, getting closer to the dorms as they went, the light levels from the buildings slowly rising. "Good. Because I want you to always feel that from me, Rhys." She tilted her head to press a soft kiss to his shoulder, since it was easiest to reach, and then rested her head gently against it. She would do everything in her power to make him feel loved, supported and cared for. He was the most important thing in her world after all.

Pao
"I don't doubt I will," he replied, eyes full of affection as he looked down at her, settled against him. The world was all right when they were together like this, and so much more so on a quiet, almost too perfect night.

He tossed that thought aside, not wanting to jinx anything, and glanced just once more up at the sky at the stars that were gradually fading out of his sight. He knew they weren't actually gone of course, but this would be the last time he saw them for tonight. When they got to the door he reached over and opened it for them, giving her room to go inside ahead of him.

Aria
"As long as I have a say in the matter, you damn well will." Was all she could say to that. She was where she belonged, with the person she belonged with. Tonight had been amazing. She never called things perfect, because she didn't believe in perfect, but it was definitely one of the top nights of her life.

She sighed as the stars got blocked by the small light dome over the Deus HQ area, but accepted it for what it was. They had seen the stars, for quite some time, and she could complain. She slipped through the door he held open for her, and waited on the other side for her to join him. "Mmm your keys in your pocket, babe? Mine are in the duffle, in my coat." She said, as she realized this.

Pao
Rhys couldn't help but smile at the certainty in her voice. "Same for me, babe."

He followed her finally through the door while he checked his pockets. Considering he tossed them aside in a very careless manner earlier--other matters were more pressing at the time--it was a small miracle both his keys and his phone were still in their respective pockets.

"Got 'em," he held them out to her before taking her hand again and starting the short walk to their room. "Surprised they're still in there, to be honest, but glad for it."

Aria
She watched him, a hint anxiously, remembering the way his pants had been tossed aside. She didn't RECALL hearing anything go flying, but... she was not exactly listening for it, with her focus being rather primarily on him, as it should be.

"I'm glad too. It would be a bit of a challenge to have to go back up and find them." She followed him to their room, happily relieved that there would be no concerns of that nature. When they got there, she waited for him to unlock the door, then slipped inside, and got her shoes back off, before falling back onto the bed, beaming up at him again.

Pao
He gave an amused little huff at the idea, then followed her into their room, locking the door behind him. Rhys went about setting the duffle down and slipping back out of his jeans so he could get into more comfortable pajama bottoms.

"You sleepy yet, baby?" he asked, turning to look at her and catching her beautiful smile. "Gorgeous," he tacked on, finally moving to join her on the bed.

Aria
She watched him change, and sighed a little, sitting up again, blushing a bit at his words, though. "Mmm." She shrugged, in response to his question, as she moved to change out of his daytime shirt and the underthings she'd been wearing, as they weren't really lounging comfortable, and pulled on something more bed appropriate, including one of his nightshirts. She loved wearing them, these days.

She turned back and slipped back onto the bed besides him. "Not exactly but not exactly not, if you know what I mean?"

Pao
He scooted to his side of the bed when she got up to change, watching her with that admiring gaze. When she slipped his shirt on he couldn't help but chuckle, focus completely on her as she made her way back to the bed. Her answer had him nod a little as he thought about it while they settled in.

"Yeah, I think I feel the same, actually. Just enough to stay awake and talk kinda thing?"

Aria
"Yeah. Not up for anything energetic, but laying there, cuddling and talking, sounds about right." She shifted until she was resting against him, as she preferred to be, her eyes closing because she was comfortable, and she could let herself just relax. She sighed happily and said "Best damn pillow on the planet..." In a lightly teasing voice. "Couldn't pay for one more comfy."

Pao
He smirked at her comment, gently pulling her in and tightening his hold on her for a moment, having noted the teasing tone, laughing softly. "No, you," he chuckled as he loosened his hug. "First and forever favorite body pillow."

Aria
"Body pillow..." She said in a musing tone. "I've heard of those, but never really knew what they were about... That said, you're a snuggly, comfortable pillow for all of me and I can sleep with my head on your shoulder. I think that wins." She teased a little more, and nuzzled him softly, her lips curved up in a happy smile. The banter between them always served to make her smile.

Pao
He furrowed his brows, still smiling but not totally convinced of her argument. Or at least he pretended not to be; he enjoyed the little exchanges they had about silly things like this.

"Mm...fine," he finally gave in, "but I want a kiss as a consolation prize."

Aria
She couldn't help it, she began to laugh, her brows raised up high. "You need to be consoled for being declared the best?" She asked, before shifting enough to give him a warm and loving kiss, eyes still glittering in her amusement. She held it for a good long minute before breaking it to murmur "I love you, my silly man."

Pao
He smiled bright, just enjoying the lovely sound of her laughter filling their little space. "No, I need 'cause you kinda one-upped me just now. I still think you're the best body pillow for me, though." And he kissed her back, smiling into the kiss and happy to let go for however long she wanted.

When she finally broke it he sighed, full contentment in the sound. "Love you, too, baby."

Aria
She couldn't resist a small, huffing laugh over his words. "One upped you by insisting you're the best. That's ridiculous. Goof." She shook her head up at him, her smile filled with her amusement at his ridiculousness. Of all the things she had expected of him, when she first started getting to know him, this silliness was one of the biggest surprises... One she loved, because it made her laugh, something she didn't do much of before coming to Deus.

Pao
He shrugged, expression playful as he gave her another little kiss. "Not to me it's not," he grinned, reaching to rest his hand on her cheek. His sense of humor, or at least this side of it, was one he didn't fully realize he even had until she showed up and started bringing out because he just loved to make her smile and hear her laughter. It was, to him, one of the most beautiful things he would ever see and hear.

"'Cause to me you're the best, so I still lost."

Aria
She mm'd softly at the kiss, and then arched a brow at his words, amused. She leaned into his hand, her eyes showing how happy she was, happy to be here, happy to be having these silly little discussions. And then he finished, and made her both laugh and blush. Finally she said "But you managed to entrance me, so you must be even better, my love. You won, by winning me."

She winked at that, and then leaned to give him a kiss in turn.

Pao
He caressed her cheeks, amused as he lovingly watched her turn a shade of pink, to which he chuckled lightly. He always found the blushing look adorable on her, though he didn't comment this time. Instead he just leaned into the kiss that soon followed, a quiet hum escaping him until he broke it this time, smile soft as he processed hers words. "I hit the jackpot with you, love."

Aria
She smiled softly up at him and said "And I did with you, so I think we both win this little debate." He was the best thing in her world, and when he seemed unsure of it, if she saw him wondering if he was good enough, she'd do everything in her power to show him why he was all she wanted, needed, and loved... And why this would always be the case. He was the center of her world these days.

Pao
"I'll get behind that verdict, then." His smile was steady, warm, and loving, and he let a quiet lull settle over them as he looked into her eyes, quickly getting lost in them for...he didn't know how long. He didn't care how long, either. He was perfectly happy, perfectly content to lay there, cuddled up with her.

Aria
She gazed back up into his eyes, lost in wonder at how lucky she was to have met him, let alone have him fall in love with her. She could get lost in these thoughts so easily, because she knew how he tried to keep people out. She did not know what made him fall for her, why he had let her in. She just knew she was the luckiest woman alive for the fact that he had. A thought occurred to her, and she smiled a little, remembering a moment some weeks ago, at least, when he asked her the question she was about to ask him.

"Babe... remember when you asked me what it is I saw in you? I never asked you the same so... What is it you see in me?" She sounded honestly curious.

Pao
Her question had him furrow his brows a little bit, mostly because there was a flurry of thoughts and reasons that all came at once and he had to take a second to figure out which ones were all-encompassing so he didn't blabber on for the next couple of hours.

"Mm," he finally started, "I see...fire? All levels of it, from a fierce and blazing drive to succeed to a soft, comforting, incredibly warm heart full of love, to embers of dreams just waiting to be fanned into a roaring flame. I see someone who puts her all in to support and care for people closest to her, and who has a ridiculous amount of love to give even after everything she's been through. I see someone who more than deserves to be loved. I see my first and best friend, the beautiful woman I love, the best thing in my life..."

Aria
Her eyes widened a little at his words, and she had to control the urge to tear up, because somehow, those words meant everything in the world to her and it was incredible and wonderful. She didn't know how he saw all that in her, but that he did was amazing and wonderful.

She took a moment to control the urge to cry, happy tears but still, then pulled him into a kiss, trying to tell him without the words she currently couldn't find how much it meant to her to hear him say all of that. She held the kiss for a long, loving minute, then broke it and said "I am glad you can see the things in me I have trouble seeing. It helps me to know that they exist, when I'm feeling low."

Pao
He watched her quietly, gaze soft and loving as he saw her try her best to keep it together. And he happily kissed her back, his own emotions welling up, her feelings behind the kiss getting through perfectly.

"I'll remind you as often as you need me to, love."

Aria
She smiled up at him, eyes bright with her love for him. "And I'll do everything I can to do the same for you. You've made my life so much better." She kissed him again, arms tight around him, once again amazed at how damn lucky she was to have found someone this wonderful.

Pao
He nodded and returned her kiss, caressing her cheek when he eventually pulled away. And he watched her, his arms tightening around her as well, then after a long moment he leaned in for another kiss.

"Let's try and get some rest, baby. Morning full workout for you tomorrow, right?"

Aria
She sighed happily at the second kiss, her fingers lightly and lovingly massaging his shoulders, then sighed a little more when it broke. His tighter hold, though, was something that made her smile, because she loved that feeling.

His question had her looking thoughtful, and then slowly nodding. "Probably a good idea. And yeah, tomorrow is a full workout."

Pao
"Okay," was all he said in response at first, kissing her forehead before settling back down to get to sleep. "Good night, baby," he soon followed up, then closed his eyes and nuzzled into her hair. It was his favorite position to sleep in now, just tucked against her exactly as they were. He waited for her fall asleep first before drifting off as well, the exhaustion from the day finally catching up to him.